If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Marlin Spike Stress?

I searched and could not find anything. I notice on my tree straps where my toggle is and where I feed the strap through there are white marks that look like its stressing it out and wearing it. Is this okay? I may buy another pair of dutch clips for going around the tree. Will replacing the toggle with a climbing biner help? I dont know if I can use dutch butches because I have a loop on each end so idk if it will thread though.

I would not worry about that Jeremy. It is good you noticed and it is important to be vigilant for anything that could drop you suddenly. The picture only shows some wrinkles and stretching. I would only be concerned with real deformity and perhaps some fiber damage. That sort of webbing is very strong in this application.

"Live your life so that your children can tell their children that you not only stood for something wonderful- you acted on it"
-Dan Zadra

The most common reasons I've retired webbing are, UV exposure, fraying from sharp objects(usually rocks, or damaged rings/carabiners ect), soiled beyond cleaning,(usually tree sap) and occasionally burns from friction(unlikely to be seen in hammocking).

UV exposure is the hardest to judge b/c it is based off the look and feel of the webbing, I generally pull it from service when it has faded noticeably and begins to feel less pliable.

Sharp object damage can take many shapes and forms but generally it will have to have penetrated into the core of the webbing to really damage it. (light fuzzing is normal when using rings in a friction setup)

Soiled is obvious, it will usually be heavy tree sap that has soaked into the webbing and cannot be cleaned out with simple dish soap and hot water.

I have seen a candle lantern cause a burn on hammock webbing, but doubt you'll see friction burns while hammocking.

Images courtesy of Slackline Express (<these guys routinely use lots of webbing in their rigs)

Last edited by 2.ooohhh; 09-13-2012 at 13:20.
Reason: Repairing an errant set of oxford commata.